The Coming “Spot-Fixing” Threat
Match-fixing is difficult and expensive, even in an individual sport. The enticement—or threat—needs to be so great that the athlete will cast aside everything he’s ever known and believed about…
How Are North Carolina’s College Coaches Paid?
American universities, especially in the South, are famous for their emphasis on sports. Football stadiums often seat more fans than do city arenas, and coaching contracts can rival those of…
What Happened to the NC A&T Gambling Probe?
It’s been more than three months since news broke that federal investigators are allegedly looking into an illegal gambling ring’s unusual wagering on North Carolina A&T basketball. Getting official confirmation…
Professionalization Is Killing College Sports
Let us take for granted that the NCAA in its prime was greedy, hypocritical, reactionary, schoolmarmish, tone-deaf, and more than a little absurd. That case is not difficult to make,…
Should the NCAA’s Transgender Records Stand?
Rule changes in sports have the potential to rewrite the record books. Usually, a change in how the game is played—to improve player safety or to speed up the action…
Will NIL Turn “Big Man on Campus” into Untouchable Man?
College football is still recovering from the shock of former University of Georgia quarterback Carson Beck’s $4.4-million agreement with the University of Miami. Beck has, as of last week, signed…
Niche Sports Should Leave Colleges
The May 2024 settlement in House v. NCAA was the most recent significant step towards an employee model for collegiate athletes. Reactions to the settlement varied widely across sports and…
San José State’s Dispiriting Volleyball Saga
The San José State University (SJSU) women’s volleyball team made international news this season, with coverage by the BBC, the Telegraph, Quillette, the New York Times, CNN, and ESPN. The…
Should University “Books” Be Judged By Athletics “Covers”?
College administrators and athletic departments, along with the media and much of the broader public, proclaim that college athletics are the “front porch” of the university. If athletics are a…
Why Are the “Cardiac Pack” Suing the NCAA?
Perhaps the most exciting NCAA men’s basketball championship game ever played was also one of the biggest upsets. The 1983 North Carolina State University Wolfpack, despite being heavy underdogs to…